England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to field first against South Africa in the opening semi-final of the Women’s World Cup being played in Guwahati, India. The former champions entered the knockout stage with strong momentum and an unchanged lineup from their recent league win, showcasing confidence in their winning combination.
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A key talking point ahead of the match was the fitness of left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who suffered a shoulder injury while fielding in England’s victory over New Zealand. Despite the scare, Ecclestone was cleared to play. Sciver-Brunt confirmed that her star spinner would be “playing through a bit of pain” but remained “raring to go,” underlining her commitment to England’s title charge.
South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt, also entered the semi-final with clear intent. Wolvaardt admitted that she too would have preferred to bowl first but was confident in her side’s batting strength on what appeared to be a good pitch for runs. The Proteas made one change to their lineup, bringing in all-rounder Anneke Bosch to strengthen their batting in place of Masabata Klaas. “Hopefully we can bat first really well today,” said Wolvaardt before the toss. “At the end of the day, it is all about winning.”
This encounter holds emotional weight for South Africa, who have twice fallen to England at the same stage in previous Women’s ODI World Cups — in 2017 and 2022. The team will be eager to change history this time, relying on the batting depth of Wolvaardt, Bosch, and Sune Luus, along with the bowling experience of Ayabonga Khaka and Shabnim Ismail.
For England, consistency and experience remain their biggest strengths. Sciver-Brunt’s leadership has brought stability, while players like Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, and Danni Wyatt continue to deliver with the bat. Ecclestone’s presence adds balance to the bowling attack, complemented by Charlie Dean and Kate Cross.
The stage is set for a thrilling contest between two talented sides hungry for glory. England, the 2017 World Cup champions, aim to reclaim the crown, while South Africa seek to break their semi-final jinx and reach their first-ever Women’s World Cup final.
Meanwhile, defending champions Australia will face hosts India in the second semi-final on Thursday near Mumbai, promising another intense battle. The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in Sunday’s grand finale, where one team will etch their name in history as the 2026 Women’s World Cup champions.
